Why is it that these auto repair garages think they can get over on us women? I am so sick of it! I have a chevy blazer that I have had for less than 2 years and the fuel pump went out on it 3 times now. Each time I had to have it towed back to the garage that fixed it thinking it was UNDER WARRANTY.... they have refused to honor the warranty, they say I am over my mileage but yet they cannot prove it because they did not write down my mileage the last time they fixed it! GGGRRRRR I am so aggrevated. My father taught me alot about cars so I am no dummy and not BLONDE either!
I am so sick of men at garages getting over on us women! My hubby went in to the garage yesterday after I argued with them about this and they refused to fix it.... now after him going in to talk to them they are going to fix it. grrrgggggrrrr BUT still not for free under the warranty either, they told hubby they will work out a deal.
You can take it someplace else to get it fixed and file a small claims suit against the original garage if you have your receipts from the last two repairs.
sounds like it's time to start shopping around for another garage. there are honest, reliable mechanics out there, just have to find them. ask your neighbors and friends who they go to.
being in the automotive feild myself, it's very unusual to go thru 2 new fuel punps, so either they're missing the cause of the problem or they're putting in very cheap quality fuel pumps.
Last edited by mikey300 : August 17th, 2006 at 10:46 AM.
The pumps may have a warranty on them from the manufacturer. It's possible that they are charging you for a new one while getting the new one for free. I would also file a complaint with the better business bureau and your local chamber of commerce.
Yes, I would definitely tell them that you are going to the Better B.B. Or tell them you are filing a claim in small claims court against them. A good honest mechanic is out there, and it's imperative that you find one, and when you do, stick to him like glue. When it comes to auto mechanics, your a turtle on it's back. Good luck, and think of it as a lesson learned and move on.
I'ts not just women. I have a few horror stories and i have 2 years of schooling in auto mechanics. Garages get away with it because they can. The sweet spot in the american economy is fast and cheap.
Why is it that these auto repair garages think they can get over on us women? I am so sick of it! I have a chevy blazer that I have had for less than 2 years and the fuel pump went out on it 3 times now. Each time I had to have it towed back to the garage that fixed it thinking it was UNDER WARRANTY.... they have refused to honor the warranty, they say I am over my mileage but yet they cannot prove it because they did not write down my mileage the last time they fixed it! GGGRRRRR I am so aggrevated. My father taught me alot about cars so I am no dummy and not BLONDE either!
I am so sick of men at garages getting over on us women! My hubby went in to the garage yesterday after I argued with them about this and they refused to fix it.... now after him going in to talk to them they are going to fix it. grrrgggggrrrr BUT still not for free under the warranty either, they told hubby they will work out a deal.
It's not just women...and some of the dealership service centers are serial offenders when compared to your smaller mechanic shops. A few years ago I had a new Ford Explorer and had problems with the ignition coil. Ford quoted me $2,000.00 for part and labor. I asked for an itemized estimate and they provided one. Beyond the ignition coil work (which was $550.00) they were going to change a number of other things. When I inquired about the need to change all of the other stuff they told me it was necessary to ensure proper "calibration" of the engine...which I knew to be complete **.
I spent the $75 to have it towed to a local mechanic and showed him a copy of the estimate. He did the ignition coil work for $550.00 and left the other stuff alone. He went so far as to take off the other parts and show me their condition compared to what one needing replaced would look like.
I went back to Ford and spoke with the Service Center Manager. He stood behind his guys and said that many of them are far more qualified mechanics than the small time shop across town.
A few years later the master cylinder for the breaks was going back so I took it to Ford. This time however I wasn't dressed in business attire and was in an old pair of jeans and a dirty t-shirt with my arms covered in grease from changing the oil and oil filter earlier in the day. The guys immediately came out with a reasonable estimate and it was strictly for the replacement of the master cylinder. I can only assume that the first time around they saw my work clothes and assumed that I didn't know a thing about cars and that I'd pay whatever they asked. The second time around they saw that I had worked on it and probably assumed that I wouldn't be fooled.
On a side note...I would ask that they include the mileage for each visit on every invoice or estimate. Next time tell them that you like to keep records of every service and when it took place on the odometer to be able to show the vehicles history to the next owner. I've never been to a repair shop that had a computer that prevents such data from being included on all the paperwork.
Last edited by ForgedRbest : August 19th, 2006 at 01:25 AM.
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A good honest mechanic is out there, and it's imperative that you find one, and when you do, stick to him like glue. When it comes to auto mechanics, your a turtle on it's back.
how true...todays' cars are designed to prevent the home mechanic/shade tree as I knew 'em,from even changing the oil or the plugs. with todays' technical requirements for equipment that cost out the cahoots,you can't bank on $$ charged,either......you have friends...ask....and be willing to pay more for quality, as well as honesty, when you find "your" mechanic. if he KNOWS that you'll be back, he'll treat you right...
I've had success using my dealer for regular maintenance. He's a bit pricey, but his people know the equipment and he stands behind his repair work. My wife was the one who convinced me to keep my car maintained this way.
I am not sure if this applies here but I have heard that gas additives (the ones that come in small bottles, and claim to clean your engine) can kill fuel pumps fairly efficiently. I do not know whether or not this is true (it sounds like one of those stories about Coca Cola.....) but I received this information from a serious person whom I respect.
Crooked garages get over on everyone...the low end high volume shops with staff that have minimal certifications are the worst...unfortunately, the more complex cars are becoming, it seems that dealers are becoming the best service option, along with premium pricing...
I am not sure if this applies here but I have heard that gas additives (the ones that come in small bottles, and claim to clean your engine) can kill fuel pumps fairly efficiently. I do not know whether or not this is true (it sounds like one of those stories about Coca Cola.....) but I received this information from a serious person whom I respect.
..that's a good question for "Carweek"..the TV show on PBS.....
IMO it sounds more like they tried to fix your old fuel pump instead of replace it. I know some garages will try to save money by billing you for a new part especially when the part cannot be seen, as in your case with the fuel pump. Before you get the work done tell them you want to have all the old parts back, that'll throw a monkey wrench into their little operation.
Why is it that these auto repair garages think they can get over on us women? I am so sick of it! I have a chevy blazer that I have had for less than 2 years and the fuel pump went out on it 3 times now. Each time I had to have it towed back to the garage that fixed it thinking it was UNDER WARRANTY.... they have refused to honor the warranty, they say I am over my mileage but yet they cannot prove it because they did not write down my mileage the last time they fixed it! GGGRRRRR I am so aggrevated. My father taught me alot about cars so I am no dummy and not BLONDE either!
I am so sick of men at garages getting over on us women! My hubby went in to the garage yesterday after I argued with them about this and they refused to fix it.... now after him going in to talk to them they are going to fix it. grrrgggggrrrr BUT still not for free under the warranty either, they told hubby they will work out a deal.
If your Blazer was bought NEW from Dealer, it is under a comprehesive warranty.
If you bought it used, watch out for the circus.
I spent all my life since Nam as an Auto Mechanic and Engine Builder in NASCAR. ..and my advice IS.....
Buy New!!!!.... and ALL will observe the warranty.
Buy Honda or Toyota and drive free!
The American Companies....have gotten arrogant and ..slack.
August 17th, 2006, 08:13 AM
Garages getting over on women
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